United Nations: Pakistan has claimed it possesses credible evidence that the recent deadly attack on the Jaffer Express passenger train, which resulted in the deaths of at least 30 innocent civilians and the abduction of dozens more, was carried out with external support from its regional adversaries.
Speaking at the launch of the UN’s "Association of Victims of Terrorism Network," Pakistan’s Mission Counselor, Jawad Ajmal, emphasized the global community’s responsibility to support victims of terrorism and their families, whose lives are irrevocably changed by such acts of violence.
Ajmal called for collective efforts to prevent future attacks and stressed the need to hold terrorists and their sponsors accountable. He advocated for a non-discriminatory, victim-centric approach to addressing the challenges faced by conflict-affected regions.
“To pave the way forward for victims, we must look beyond narrow political interests and geopolitical agendas,” said Ajmal. “We need to examine why, despite global strategies, the threat of terrorism continues to grow and why the number of victims keeps increasing.”
Pakistan condemned all forms of terrorism without exception — including far-right extremism, Islamophobia, ethnic and linguistic-based violence, and especially state-sponsored terrorism.
Ajmal also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism and the environments that foster it, while making a clear distinction between terrorism and legitimate struggles for self-determination.
Highlighting the growing need to eliminate state-sponsored terrorism, he called for a universally accepted definition that reflects emerging trends. He also pointed to the role of modern platforms like social media and the dark web in fueling hate and violence, urging comprehensive action against such threats.
The Pakistani envoy appealed for an end to disinformation campaigns that promote hate speech, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, stressing the moral and legal obligation of the international community to act decisively and impartially against terrorism in all its forms.
Commenting on the recent attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Ajmal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent tourist lives. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery for the injured. He noted that Pakistan had joined fellow UN Security Council members in condemning the incident.
Ajmal further stated that Pakistan has been one of the worst victims of terrorism over the past two decades. Despite losing more than 80,000 lives and enduring thousands of injuries, the resilience and spirit of the Pakistani nation remain unshaken.
He paid tribute to the families of law enforcement officers and armed forces personnel who laid down their lives in defense of the country.
